Cyndi Lauper, Harvey Fierstein to stage ‘Kinky Boots’ here

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Cyndi Lauper will write the score and Harvey Fierstein will write the book for a new musical, “Kinky Boots,” which will have its pre-Broadway debut at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre in October.

Updated: March 24, 2012 9:00AM

“Kinky Boots,” a new musical by Harvey Fierstein (book) and pop music legend Cyndi Lauper (score), will have its pre-Broadway debut at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre in October.

Fierstein is the Tony Award-winning writer and actor who penned the books for “La Cage aux Folles,” “Hairspray” and “A Catered Affair” (which opened at Chicago’s Porchlight Theatre Tuesday night), and the upcoming “Newsies.” Lauper’s theatrical background includes a starring role in a Broadway revival of “The Threepenny Opera.”

Lauper, the singer-songwriter behind such hits as “True Colors” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” jumped in with a full score that will surprise people, Fierstein said. “There was a lot of chasing her around because that woman works. Her musical vocabulary is wonderful. Each character has their own sound.”

The musical tells the true story of a traditional shoe manufacturer in Northampton, England, who, faced with hard economic times, opts to manufacture fetish shoes in order to save the family business and the jobs of his workers. It will be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. Fierstein said the story teases out the relationship between Charlie, the shoe factory’s new head, and a sassy drag queen performer named Lola.

“Here are two people who couldn’t be more different who realize that, in their minds, they’re complete failures to their fathers,” Fierstein said. “They find each other and heal each other.”

Specific dates and casting have not yet been announced. Tickets, $33-$100 are available for groups of 15 or more by calling (312) 977-1710. Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date.

For additional information visit www.BroadwayInChicago.

Contributing: AP